Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Nov. 5 ... Mail Tribune 100, Nov. 5, 1915 ... Road narrowing in Phoenix slows traffic but confuses some drivers ... Emergency services, Nov. 5 ... Mail Tribune 100, Nov. 5, 1915 ... Road narrowing in Phoenix slows traffic but confuses some drivers ... OUR VIEW Our View: Time for a conversation about campaign reform MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Nov. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Supporters of setting limits on campaign contributions in Oregon have challenged the Legislature to address the issue in the 2016 session, or they will mount initiative campaigns to ask voters to do it. Lawmakers should heed that warning and have a serious discussion. We say that for more than one reason. First, Oregon's initiative system allows the state's citizens to enact legislation directly when their elected representatives can't or won't. That is a powerful tool, but it is a blunt instrument, which can lead to unintended consequences when initiatives are poorly drafted. The legislative process of committee hearings and amendments usually — though not always — produces a better finished product. Second, Oregon's wide-open system of campaign finance puts it among only six states that have no limits at all on campaign contributions. Anyone — businesses, individuals, unions, interest groups — can pour as much money as they wish into candidates' coffers. That led to races for individual state legislative seats topping $1 million in contributions in last year's election. Polls consistently show that the public generally supports contribution limits, and Oregon voters have approved them in the past. But the Oregon Constitution's free-speech guarantee is even stronger than the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and the state Supreme Court has struck down all contribution limits as an infringement of that right, declaring in 1997 that no limits could be imposed unless the Constitution was amended. In 2006, voters again approved limits, but defeated a companion measure that would have amended the Constitution to allow them to take effect. Any new limits, whether adopted by lawmakers or approved by voters, would require a constitutional amendment, which requires a vote of the people. The Legislature can refer an amendment to voters, or supporters can gather signatures to put one on the ballot. Individuals and groups should be able to contribute to the candidates of their choice, but limiting the amount to prevent a few large gifts from drowning out the voices of small donors is not unreasonable. It is telling that all but six states limit contributions. Oregonians should ask themselves why their state does not. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501